WARNING ABOUT HI STAR AUTO CENTER / BODY SHOP
I normally do not write negative reviews, but after this experience, I feel people deserve to know before trusting this shop with their vehicle.
Before taking my Lexus RX 350 to HI Star Auto Center after my rear-end accident, one of my friends took my vehicle to another body shop for an estimate. She personally saw the condition of the vehicle before it was brought to HI Star Auto Center and is a witness that the ONLY damage on the vehicle at that time was the rear-end accident damage.
The front passenger-side bumper had NO scratches or damage before the vehicle was left in the possession of HI Star Auto Center.
She is willing to testify to this in court if necessary.
I brought my Lexus RX 350 to HI Star Auto Center on March 10, 2026, following a rear-end collision. The repairs were being handled through GEICO insurance.
After almost a month of waiting and paying for a rental car, I visited the shop to check the progress of my vehicle. During that visit, I immediately noticed fresh damage and scratches on the front passenger-side bumper -- damage that did not exist before bringing my car to this shop and had absolutely nothing to do with the original accident.
I immediately pointed it out to the manager, Vigen, while we were walking to my car outside the shop. The vehicle was parked outside, and throughout the repair process employees were constantly moving the vehicle in and out of the shop.
As we walked toward my car, I noticed right away that the front bumper on the passenger side had clearly been scratched and hit by something while in their possession.
I clearly told Vigen that the damage needed to be repaired exactly the way it was before.
He stayed quiet. He did not comment, explain, deny it, or provide any solution.
When I finally picked up my vehicle on April 8, 2026, the front bumper damage was still there. It appeared they simply cleaned the bumper instead of properly repairing it. The scratches and marks remained clearly visible.
Even worse, ALL of the vehicle's sensors -- both front and rear -- still did not work at all. These sensors were damaged during the original accident and needed to be repaired, and the shop was fully aware of this from the beginning.
I specifically informed the shop that the sensors needed to be repaired, and they assured me everything would be fixed.
The first thing I did when I picked up the car was test the sensors, and they were exactly the same as when I originally brought the vehicle in -- not functioning at all.
That means the sensors were never repaired.
Within five minutes, I returned to the shop and spoke directly with Vigen, the manager. He personally tested the vehicle himself and acknowledged that the sensors were not functioning.
His response was:
"The machine said they were working."
However, after testing the car himself, he admitted the sensors obviously were not working.
Despite this, no solution was provided. The shop was already closing, and I was forced to take the vehicle home without the issue being resolved.
Based on the condition of my vehicle and everything I personally observed while the car was in their possession, I can only conclude that my vehicle was additionally damaged while under the care of HI Star Auto Center.
I am posting photos of:
* The original rear-end accident damage
* The new front bumper damage discovered while the vehicle was at the shop
* The scratches still clearly visible after pickup
At this point, the only option left may be pursuing this matter legally through small claims court in order to recover the damages and hold the shop accountable.
Customers bring their vehicles to a body shop expecting repairs -- not additional damage and more problems.
If you care about your vehicle, your time, and proper repairs, I strongly recommend taking your car somewhere else. read more